PSU presenting classical music

December 21, 2012

ALTOONA - The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State is partnering with the Penn State Altoona Division of Arts and Humanities to present free public programs on Jan. 16, featuring Christopher O'Riley, concert pianist and host of NPR's "From the Top," and Matt Haimovitz, a Grammy Award nominated cellist.

In "An Afternoon with Bach," Haimovitz performs and discusses Johann Sebastian Bach cello suites at 2 p.m. in the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Timothy Melbinger, lecturer in music at Penn State Altoona, provides context. Refreshments will be served. A musical surprise will be held at 4 p.m. at the Port Sky Cafe.

"An Evening with Matt Haimovitz and Christopher O'Riley" rounds out the day at 7:30 p.m. in the Paul R. and Margery Wolf Kuhn Theatre of the Misciagna Center. The musicians perform a variety of classical and popular music selections. Each discusses the importance of the works and their contemporary interpretations. Melbinger hosts the event, which includes a question-and-answer session. A reception follows in the Titelman Study.

Free tickets, required for the evening musical event, are available at the Misciagna Box Office, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday or at the door.

The programs are part of the Center for the Performing Arts Classical Music Project. The three-year project, supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, provides opportunities to engage people with classical music artists and programs.

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The Classical Music Project also includes a lecture series at the Palmer Museum of Art's Palmer Lipcon Auditorium (unless otherwise noted), on the Penn State University Park campus.

Free and open to the public, each lecture in the series begins at 2:30 p.m. and lasts approximately 75 minutes. The list of lectures includes:

* "Beethoven in Hollywood," Feb. 5, presented by Michael Broyles, professor of musicology at Florida State University, and distinguished professor of music and professor of American history emeritus at Penn State;